Monday, November 7, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Submission and Surrender, how contorted those word...
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Submission and Surrender, how contorted those word...: When you think of submission what is the first image that pops into your head? I think of a hostage pleading for his/her life with the kid...
Submission and Surrender, how contorted those words have become.
When you think of submission what is the first image that pops into your head?
I think of a hostage pleading for his/her life with the kidnapper who is brandishing a knife or gun.
Not a positive image for sure. Some one begging for mercy with a violent predator of some sort. You may have a different image but I'm guessing it isn't good if you think at all like me.
So now we come to surrender, What image have you got?
I think of a soldier raising a tattered and crudely fashioned white flag. Someone who is looking haggard, bloody with slumped shoulders and full of shame. Again not a positive image.
So upon becoming a Christian and learning to Love him I had trouble at first with those words. Being that they brought up negative imagery for me made it difficult to integrate into my belief system. In fact it is 7 years since I first handed my life over and this year I am working hard at submission to authority. I didn't understand that if want to lead first you must learn to follow. I have a stubborn nature and it takes time to get past my walls of human reasoning. I knew I wanted to follow but just didn't know how. Being that I was a bit of a control freak none of it came natural to me.
Most, if not all, successful businesses operate on this principle. Delegation of authority is the only thing that leads to real growth. It is a matter of trust or faith. The people around you may not do things the way you would do them but it doesn't necessarily make your way right. A lot of times with regards to God I resisted his way and, of course, it didn't work out as I planned.
The truth is if you believe yourself to be self sufficient God will not use you to do his will.
So although it is something I've worked on since the beginning of my walk in recent times it has become a focal point. It is working out very well. I have a temporary position at my work place that I'm in charge of a small crew. I don't have any large mandate or big title nor do I care. A number of people working with me are capable workers and need little supervision. My job is to give them a direction and a focus then let them take it from there. I have several new workers and they need more instruction of course. I trust the people I work with to help in that manner along side me. The team is growing and improving not because of me but because of the group of us.
Had it not been for God I would still be trying to do everything on my own. In fact it is only because of God that I have this opportunity. He gave me this opportunity and sent along side me the perfect compliment of skills in my fellow employees. Even the office person coordinating the operation is highly capable and knowledgeable. The whole experience has been a challenge but I'm very much enjoying it.
An absolute essential of being a Christ follower is allowing him to be the leader of your life. Which means surrendering your will to Jesus and submitting to his authority in your life. The Bible is full of great examples in how God uses people that trust in him. I've seen that come alive in my life and in others.
Before you get authority you should learn how to submit to it. Mathew 8:5-13 has an example of a leader who understood authority and how it works...
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
Jesus blessed this non Jew and said he had great faith. Why? Well it was because he accepted Jesus authority over that of his own. In military terms Generals don't start off as Generals. They start off as Lieutenants and that is only after much schooling and more submission to higher authority. If you want to lead you must learn to follow or you won't succeed. Before the fruit of being a Christian would start ripening in my life I had to learn about submission and surrender. I'm not there yet but I am learning. Jesus is a magnificent teacher but he won't feed those that aren't hungry.
I am a work in progress. I want to take it all on at times but know better. As for surrender, I honestly don't want to take the reigns in my life anymore. I have never been more content with life than I am right now. As for my temporary position that will end soon but as Rick Warren wrote "life is a temporary assignment". The only thing that is permanent is eternity and I know where I'm spending that so I might as well get God's help here too.
Blessings to you, may you be a good and faithful servant in everything you do!!
I think of a hostage pleading for his/her life with the kidnapper who is brandishing a knife or gun.
Not a positive image for sure. Some one begging for mercy with a violent predator of some sort. You may have a different image but I'm guessing it isn't good if you think at all like me.
So now we come to surrender, What image have you got?
I think of a soldier raising a tattered and crudely fashioned white flag. Someone who is looking haggard, bloody with slumped shoulders and full of shame. Again not a positive image.
So upon becoming a Christian and learning to Love him I had trouble at first with those words. Being that they brought up negative imagery for me made it difficult to integrate into my belief system. In fact it is 7 years since I first handed my life over and this year I am working hard at submission to authority. I didn't understand that if want to lead first you must learn to follow. I have a stubborn nature and it takes time to get past my walls of human reasoning. I knew I wanted to follow but just didn't know how. Being that I was a bit of a control freak none of it came natural to me.
Most, if not all, successful businesses operate on this principle. Delegation of authority is the only thing that leads to real growth. It is a matter of trust or faith. The people around you may not do things the way you would do them but it doesn't necessarily make your way right. A lot of times with regards to God I resisted his way and, of course, it didn't work out as I planned.
The truth is if you believe yourself to be self sufficient God will not use you to do his will.
So although it is something I've worked on since the beginning of my walk in recent times it has become a focal point. It is working out very well. I have a temporary position at my work place that I'm in charge of a small crew. I don't have any large mandate or big title nor do I care. A number of people working with me are capable workers and need little supervision. My job is to give them a direction and a focus then let them take it from there. I have several new workers and they need more instruction of course. I trust the people I work with to help in that manner along side me. The team is growing and improving not because of me but because of the group of us.
Had it not been for God I would still be trying to do everything on my own. In fact it is only because of God that I have this opportunity. He gave me this opportunity and sent along side me the perfect compliment of skills in my fellow employees. Even the office person coordinating the operation is highly capable and knowledgeable. The whole experience has been a challenge but I'm very much enjoying it.
An absolute essential of being a Christ follower is allowing him to be the leader of your life. Which means surrendering your will to Jesus and submitting to his authority in your life. The Bible is full of great examples in how God uses people that trust in him. I've seen that come alive in my life and in others.
Before you get authority you should learn how to submit to it. Mathew 8:5-13 has an example of a leader who understood authority and how it works...
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it.
Jesus blessed this non Jew and said he had great faith. Why? Well it was because he accepted Jesus authority over that of his own. In military terms Generals don't start off as Generals. They start off as Lieutenants and that is only after much schooling and more submission to higher authority. If you want to lead you must learn to follow or you won't succeed. Before the fruit of being a Christian would start ripening in my life I had to learn about submission and surrender. I'm not there yet but I am learning. Jesus is a magnificent teacher but he won't feed those that aren't hungry.
I am a work in progress. I want to take it all on at times but know better. As for surrender, I honestly don't want to take the reigns in my life anymore. I have never been more content with life than I am right now. As for my temporary position that will end soon but as Rick Warren wrote "life is a temporary assignment". The only thing that is permanent is eternity and I know where I'm spending that so I might as well get God's help here too.
Blessings to you, may you be a good and faithful servant in everything you do!!
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: The Occupy movement
A Christ follower living in a secular world: The Occupy movement: Just what is it all about? I just don't get it. We live in a free and democratic society. We have real means for social/economic change th...
The Occupy movement
Just what is it all about? I just don't get it.
We live in a free and democratic society. We have real means for social/economic change through legitimate sources. It's not like it was in the sixties when there was real oppression of black Americans in the south. This is not like what happened in the 80s in Poland when an unjust and non democratic government was oppressing the people. It spawned the solidarity movement.
We have problems, I know, and there is a need to change our ways in a big way. This has been a long time coming and Governments have mortgaged our future to satisfy the immediate needs. Our whole economic landscape is bleak. It is going to call for some pretty drastic changes to remedy. At some point there will be a world wide economic meltdown due to so many trade imbalances. We in the western world have been the "haves" for a long time. We have it way better than most of the world and for every action there is a reaction. Since the rubber band has been stretch as far as it has the recoil will be formidable.
All this talk about the "one percent" can make you believe you deserve more. Well I hate to say it but the rest of us around here are in the 2 to 5 percent range. It is not just the mega rich that are the haves. We are better off because of the imbalance. When things fall apart, and they will, we are all going to suffer the consequences along with the 1 percent.
Prepare for the inevitable. Harder times will come upon us. Financially speaking I mean. Canada can't really do much in of itself since the US economy is the only one that really matters. It is all very complicated but the US is the central figure in the world economy and since the gold standard was dropped during the Nixon era(it actually goes back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt but I don't need to go into it all) this paper economy we have has kept the good times rolling here in North America with only a few hiccups.
The US is close to 20 trillion in debt and eventually they will no longer be able to service their debt. When that happens the dominoes will start to fall. This is not mere fantasy but a real event that will happen. Most economists know of this inevitability but few speak of it. It likely will happen before we reach 2020 and honestly could happen anytime.
When this happens everything you've worked and saved for could very well disintegrate. The housing market will plummet. Unemployment will go through the roof. The great depression of the 30s will look mild in comparison.
So what should we do? Well I know what I am doing. I'm doing my best to put people above things. I am only a pilgrim passing through, an alien in this world. There is more to life than possessions. I'd rather invest in relationships than mutual funds(though I do both). I am debt free and do save money but I have no faith in my money. Everyday I live thankful for what I have. I live within my means and give to the needy. I want to give more than I desire to receive.
I have no interest in overthrowing a corrupt system. It is a no win situation. Perhaps rather than being dissidents these people should work on changing their attitude and working on an occupation rather than being a nuisance to people trying to get on with their lives. Just my take on it all.
Blessings!
We live in a free and democratic society. We have real means for social/economic change through legitimate sources. It's not like it was in the sixties when there was real oppression of black Americans in the south. This is not like what happened in the 80s in Poland when an unjust and non democratic government was oppressing the people. It spawned the solidarity movement.
We have problems, I know, and there is a need to change our ways in a big way. This has been a long time coming and Governments have mortgaged our future to satisfy the immediate needs. Our whole economic landscape is bleak. It is going to call for some pretty drastic changes to remedy. At some point there will be a world wide economic meltdown due to so many trade imbalances. We in the western world have been the "haves" for a long time. We have it way better than most of the world and for every action there is a reaction. Since the rubber band has been stretch as far as it has the recoil will be formidable.
All this talk about the "one percent" can make you believe you deserve more. Well I hate to say it but the rest of us around here are in the 2 to 5 percent range. It is not just the mega rich that are the haves. We are better off because of the imbalance. When things fall apart, and they will, we are all going to suffer the consequences along with the 1 percent.
Prepare for the inevitable. Harder times will come upon us. Financially speaking I mean. Canada can't really do much in of itself since the US economy is the only one that really matters. It is all very complicated but the US is the central figure in the world economy and since the gold standard was dropped during the Nixon era(it actually goes back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt but I don't need to go into it all) this paper economy we have has kept the good times rolling here in North America with only a few hiccups.
The US is close to 20 trillion in debt and eventually they will no longer be able to service their debt. When that happens the dominoes will start to fall. This is not mere fantasy but a real event that will happen. Most economists know of this inevitability but few speak of it. It likely will happen before we reach 2020 and honestly could happen anytime.
When this happens everything you've worked and saved for could very well disintegrate. The housing market will plummet. Unemployment will go through the roof. The great depression of the 30s will look mild in comparison.
So what should we do? Well I know what I am doing. I'm doing my best to put people above things. I am only a pilgrim passing through, an alien in this world. There is more to life than possessions. I'd rather invest in relationships than mutual funds(though I do both). I am debt free and do save money but I have no faith in my money. Everyday I live thankful for what I have. I live within my means and give to the needy. I want to give more than I desire to receive.
I have no interest in overthrowing a corrupt system. It is a no win situation. Perhaps rather than being dissidents these people should work on changing their attitude and working on an occupation rather than being a nuisance to people trying to get on with their lives. Just my take on it all.
Blessings!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: The trouble with all Hallow's Eve
A Christ follower living in a secular world: The trouble with all Hallow's Eve: As we are at the end of October and people are celebrating this most unholy of events what is a Christian supposed to do? For our struggle...
The trouble with all Hallow's Eve
As we are at the end of October and people are celebrating this most unholy of events what is a Christian supposed to do?
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
As a believer I am convinced there is a spirit world. People dressing up as Zombies and Vampires all in the name of "fun" is not good. They hold mock seances and cast spells. They call on dark forces and often get very loose with their morals. The drink flows, the party goes into the wee hours of the morning, and for some it is a chance to do some random vandalism. It is one of the busiest(probably the busiest) times of the year for law enforcement along with the Fire Department. There is lots of violence and general debauchery. Firecrackers and fireworks getting lit continuously with little to no concern for safety. It is quite literally a glimpse of hell.
Then there is what this is teaching the children. I'm not a parent so I don't have to deal with that aspect of it but I feel sympathy for Christian parents. Do you banish your kids from all Halloween activities? I really don't have an answer to that. It would be easy to say yes of course but it seems kind of mean to not allow your daughter to dress up as a princess and get some candy from your neighbours. It is a dilemma. I guess it would have to depend on your situation but I think you have to embrace the good aspects but prepare for it with prayer and protection for you and your little ones.
Then there is the church, do they have a "family fun night" instead of a Halloween party with treats and bobbing for apples and the like. It is a great opportunity for outreach but should a Christian organization be taking advantage of an opportunity the Devil provided? At one time I would have said no but now I believe so. I don't hand out candy only because I don't have the location for it. If I did then I would. Candy really isn't good for you but sometimes you have to let kids be kids. As for having a costume themed party I don't have a problem with it so long as they are in good taste. Dress up as a sports hero, or cowboy or thousands of other non evil characters. There is nothing wrong with dressing up so long as it is appropriate.
So to believers out there I say measure your actions carefully. Don't fall into the Devils trap. To the nonbelievers I say think about what you are doing. Do you really want to be calling the dark forces out? If you do then expect to get what you ask for. A nasty hangover, some regrets and possibly a whole world of hurt.
I don't celebrate the day but I do pray over it.
God bless you and keep you safe!!
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
As a believer I am convinced there is a spirit world. People dressing up as Zombies and Vampires all in the name of "fun" is not good. They hold mock seances and cast spells. They call on dark forces and often get very loose with their morals. The drink flows, the party goes into the wee hours of the morning, and for some it is a chance to do some random vandalism. It is one of the busiest(probably the busiest) times of the year for law enforcement along with the Fire Department. There is lots of violence and general debauchery. Firecrackers and fireworks getting lit continuously with little to no concern for safety. It is quite literally a glimpse of hell.
Then there is what this is teaching the children. I'm not a parent so I don't have to deal with that aspect of it but I feel sympathy for Christian parents. Do you banish your kids from all Halloween activities? I really don't have an answer to that. It would be easy to say yes of course but it seems kind of mean to not allow your daughter to dress up as a princess and get some candy from your neighbours. It is a dilemma. I guess it would have to depend on your situation but I think you have to embrace the good aspects but prepare for it with prayer and protection for you and your little ones.
Then there is the church, do they have a "family fun night" instead of a Halloween party with treats and bobbing for apples and the like. It is a great opportunity for outreach but should a Christian organization be taking advantage of an opportunity the Devil provided? At one time I would have said no but now I believe so. I don't hand out candy only because I don't have the location for it. If I did then I would. Candy really isn't good for you but sometimes you have to let kids be kids. As for having a costume themed party I don't have a problem with it so long as they are in good taste. Dress up as a sports hero, or cowboy or thousands of other non evil characters. There is nothing wrong with dressing up so long as it is appropriate.
So to believers out there I say measure your actions carefully. Don't fall into the Devils trap. To the nonbelievers I say think about what you are doing. Do you really want to be calling the dark forces out? If you do then expect to get what you ask for. A nasty hangover, some regrets and possibly a whole world of hurt.
I don't celebrate the day but I do pray over it.
God bless you and keep you safe!!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Apology accepted?
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Apology accepted?: Did you ever notice that when you've done something wrong and apologized for it people will accept it. Or at least they say they do but late...
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